Western Visayas on blue alert due to drought

Map of Western Visayas

BACOLOD CITY — The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Western Visayas (RDRRMC-6) has elevated its alert status to blue starting Tuesday, April 23, in light of the El Niño phenomenon gripping the region.

The blue alert means heightened coordination of line agencies in sending relief goods and water to affected areas, said Raul Fernandez, Office of the Civil Defense chair for Western Visayas, who also sits as RDRRMC-6 chair.

Fernandez said the total damage caused by the drought in Western Visayas had reached P770 million.

Aside from enhanced monitoring and coordination, raising to blue alert is a prerequisite for the Office of Civil Defense to use its funds for response operations related to El Niño, he added.

READ: DSWD: Over P11 million to assist W. Visayas families affected by El Niño 

The decision to raise the alert to blue came in response to the below-normal rainfall conditions experienced over the past months, leading to adverse effects on water resources, particularly in the provinces of Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Guimaras.

The latest outlook from the Philippine weather agency said these areas were facing drought exacerbated by El Niño, Fernandez said.